Hydrophobic Surface Coated Absorbent Articles and Associated Methods

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to absorbent articles which include one or more components that have been treated with a hydrophobic surface coating intended to render such components impermeable to liquids having relatively low surface tensions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/055,743 filed on Feb. 10, 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/543,785, filed Feb. 11, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to absorbent articles which include one ormore components that have been treated with a hydrophobic surfacecoating intended to render such components impermeable to liquids havingrelatively low surface tensions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The main purpose of consumer utilization of disposable absorbentarticles such as diaper, training pants, sanitary napkins, pantiliners,and adult incontinence articles is to absorb and contain body exudates.Given this purpose, it is quite often the case that such body exudatesescape the boundaries of the article as a result of leakage from a pointwhere the article contacts the skin or from seepage through the materialthat makes up the absorbent article. The latter instance is often causedby the inability of the materials of the article to serve as effectivebarriers to such bodily fluids.

The undesirable effects of leakage and/or improper containment,difficult cleanup, and/or residual skin contamination are especiallyevident with regard to fecal matter deposited in a diaper. Fecescontained in the diaper can harm the skin of the wearer over time andfeces leaking from the diaper almost invariably presents unpleasant,messy clean-ups. Thus, several attempts have been made to add featuresto diapers such as barriers, pockets, spacers, transverse barriers,apertured topsheets and the like to limit the movement of the fecalmaterial across the topsheet and/or to better confine the fecal matterin the diaper. Such attempts have been generally unsuccessful becausethey fail to address the fundamental causes of these problems (i.e., theproperties of feces) and, because of their cost and complexity. Further,many of the means for isolating or containing feces are directed tofecal material with certain physical properties (e.g., viscosity, freewater content and particle size) and are not effective with exudateswith physical properties outside a very small range.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an absorbent article withimproved low surface energy fluid management capabilities, particularlyfor feces management. Further, it would be advantageous to provide aneconomical disposable article with the ability to minimize the negativeeffects of feces or other viscous bodily waste on the wearer or thecaregiver. It would also be advantageous to provide an article which isdesigned to chemically or physically interact with materials making upthe article and in order to reduce the amount of leakage and/or seepagethat may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to help resolve at least some of the problems described above,the present invention provides an article which comprises:

-   -   a. a liquid pervious first topsheet having an interior surface        and an exterior surface;    -   b. a backsheet having an interior surface and an exterior        surface wherein said backsheet is attached to said topsheet        along a periphery;    -   c. an absorbent core disposed between said topsheet and said        backsheet;    -   d. an additional article component selected from the group        consisting of a core cover, a diaper outer cover, an ear, a        first cuff, a second cuff, a belt, a wing, an elasticized        topsheet, and combinations thereof; wherein said component has        an interior and an exterior surface; and    -   e. a hydrophobic surface coating disposed on at least one        surface of said backsheet or said additional article component        wherein said coating comprises one or more silicone polymers and        wherein said coating is substantially free of aminosilicones.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the absorbent article of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an absorbent article of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the absorbent article depicted inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a component of the present article prior to treatmentwith the hydrophobic surface coating of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a component of an article of the present inventionthat has been treated with a hydrophobic surface coating according tothe present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a component of an article of the present inventionthat has been treated with another hydrophobic surface coating accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates via a perspective view another embodiment of thepresent invention in which the hydrophobic surface coating has beenapplied to at least an elasticized topsheet of an absorbent article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the present invention, detailed herein are various definitions whichare intended to aid in the interpretation of the claimed subject matter.

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to devices whichabsorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers todevices which are placed against or in proximity to the body of thewearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from thebody. Such devices include, but are not limited to, diapers, trainingpants, adult incontinence products, sanitary napkins, and pantiliners.

As used herein, the term “diaper” refers to an absorbent articlegenerally worn by infants, and incontinent persons that is worn aboutthe lower torso of the wearer. In other words, the term “diaper”includes infant diapers, training pants, adult incontinence devices,etc.

As used herein, the term “disposable” refers to absorbent articles whichgenerally are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored orreused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended to be discardedafter a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted orotherwise disposed of in an environmentally compatible manner).

As used herein, the term “telomer” refers to an addition polymer,usually of low molecular weight, in which the growth of molecules isterminated by a radical-supplying chain transfer agent or a lowmolecular weight polymer in which the terminal group on the end of thechain-like molecule is not the same as the side group. Telomer may alsobe used synonymously with oligomer, which is a polymer with very few(two to ten) repeating units.

As used herein, the term “disposed” is used to mean that an element(s)of the diaper is formed (joined or positioned) in a particular place orposition as a unitary structure with other elements of the diaper or asa separate element joined to another element of the diaper.

As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurations whereby anelement is directly secured to another element by affixing the elementdirectly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element isindirectly secured to another element by affixing the element tointermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.)

A “unitary” absorbent article refers to absorbent articles which areformed of separate parts united together to form a coordinated entity sothat they do not require separate manipulative parts like a separateholder and liner.

As used herein, the term “comprising” means that the various components,ingredients, or steps, can be conjointly employed in practicing thepresent invention. Accordingly, the term “comprising” encompasses themore restrictive terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of.”

All percentages, ratios and proportions used herein are by weight unlessotherwise specified.

Absorbent Article

The disposable absorbent articles of the present invention comprise aliquid pervious first topsheet, a backsheet attached or joined to thetopsheet and an absorbent core positioned between the topsheet and thebacksheet. Disposable absorbent articles and components thereof,including the topsheet, backsheet, absorbent core, and any individuallayers of these components, have an interior surface (or body surface)and an exterior surface (or garment surface). As used herein, “interiorsurface” or “body surface” means that surface of the article orcomponent which is intended to be worn toward or adjacent to the body ofthe wearer, while the “exterior surface” or “garment surface” is on theopposite side and is intended to be worn toward or placed adjacent tothe undergarments when the disposable absorbent article is worn.

The following description generally discusses the absorbent core, firsttopsheet, and backsheet materials that are useful in disposableabsorbent articles. It is to be understood that this general descriptionapplies to these components of the specific absorbent article shown inFIG. 1 and further described below, in addition to those of otherdisposable absorbent articles which are generally described herein.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the diaper 50 of the present invention in itsflat-out, uncontracted state (i.e., with elastic induced contractionpulled out) with portions of the structure being cut-away to moreclearly show the construction of the diaper 50 and with the portion ofthe diaper 50 which faces away from the wearer, the outer surface,oriented towards the viewer. As shown in FIG. 1, the diaper 50preferably comprises a liquid pervious first topsheet 520; a liquidimpervious backsheet 530 joined with the topsheet 520; an absorbent core540 positioned between the first topsheet 520 and the backsheet 530, theabsorbent core 540 having a exterior surface (or garment facing surface)542, an interior surface (or a body facing surface) 544, side edges 546,waist edges 548, and ears 549. The diaper 50 preferably furthercomprises a first cuff 550, a second cuff 511, and an additional cuff512; an elastic waist feature multiply designated as 560 (also referredto herein as a waistband or belt); and a fastening system generallymultiply designated as 570.

The diaper 50 is shown in FIG. 1 to have an outer surface 52, an innersurface 54 opposed to the outer surface 52, a first waist region 56, asecond waist region 58, and a periphery 51 which is defined by the outeredges of the diaper 50 in which the longitudinal edges are designated 55and the end edges are designated 57. (While the skilled artisan willrecognize that a diaper is usually described in terms of having a pairof waist regions and a crotch region between the waist regions, in thisapplication, for simplicity of terminology, the diaper 50 is describedas having only waist regions including a portion of the diaper whichwould typically be designated as part of the crotch region). The innersurface 54 of the diaper 50 comprises that portion of the diaper 50which is positioned adjacent to the wearer's body during use (i.e., theinner surface 54 generally is formed by at least a portion of the firsttopsheet 520 and other components that may be joined to the firsttopsheet 520). The outer surface 52 comprises that portion of the diaper50 which is positioned away from the wearer's body (i.e., the outersurface 52 generally is formed by at least a portion of the backsheet530 and other components that may be joined to the backsheet 530). (Asused herein, the portion of the diaper 50 or component thereof whichfaces the wearer is also referred to as the body facing surface.Similarly, the portion facing away from the wearer is also referred toherein as the garment facing surface.) The first waist region 56 and thesecond waist region 58 extend, respectively, from the end edges 57 ofthe periphery 51 to the lateral centerline 53 of the diaper 50. FIG. 1also shows the longitudinal centerline 59.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the article of the present inventionwhich includes at least a first and second cuff wherein the backsheetand at least one of the additional components has been treated with thehydrophobic surface coating. FIG. 3 merely depicts a cross-sectionalview of the diaper shown in FIG. 2.

Absorbent Core

The absorbent core 540 may take on any size or shape that is compatiblewith the diaper 50. One preferred embodiment of the diaper 50 has anasymmetric, modified T-shaped absorbent core 540 having ears in thefirst waist region but a generally rectangular shape in the second waistregion. Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core ofthe present invention that have achieved wide acceptance and commercialsuccess are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,678, 4,673,402, 4,888,231,and 4,834,735. The absorbent core may further comprise the dual coresystem containing an acquisition/distribution core of chemicallystiffened fibers positioned over an absorbent storage core as detailedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,234,423 and 5,147,345.

In general, the absorbent core is capable of absorbing or retainingliquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or other body exudates). The absorbentcore is preferably compressible, conformable, and non-irritating to thewearer's skin. The absorbent core may include any of a wide variety ofliquid-absorbent materials commonly used in absorbent articles, such ascomminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred to as airfelt.Examples of other suitable absorbent materials for use in the absorbentcore include creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers includingcoform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosicfibers; synthetic fibers such as crimped polyester fibers; peat moss;tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams;absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials;or any equivalent material or combinations of materials, or mixtures ofthese.

The configuration and construction of the absorbent core may also bevaried (e.g., the absorbent core may have varying caliper zones and/orhave a profile so as to be thicker in the center; hydrophilic gradients;gradients of the absorbent composite of the present invention,superabsorbent gradients; or lower average density and lower averagebasis weight zones, e.g., acquisition zones; or may comprise one or morelayers or structures). The total absorbent capacity of the absorbentcore should, however, be compatible with the design loading and theintended use of the absorbent article. Further, the size and absorbentcapacity of the absorbent core may be varied to accommodate differentuses such as diapers, incontinence pads, pantiliners, regular sanitarynapkins, and overnight sanitary napkins, and to accommodate wearersranging from infants to adults. The absorbent core can include otherabsorbent components that are often used in absorbent articles, forexample, a dusting layer, a wicking or acquisition layer, or a secondary(e.g., an elasticized) topsheet for increasing the wearer's comfort.

Topsheet

The first topsheet 520 of diaper 50 is preferably made of a hydrophilicmaterial that promotes rapid transfer of liquids (e.g., urine, menses,and/or runny feces) through the topsheet. If the first topsheet is madeof a hydrophobic material, at least the upper surface of the topsheet istreated to be hydrophilic so that liquids will transfer through thetopsheet more rapidly. This diminishes the likelihood that body exudateswill flow off the topsheet rather than being drawn through the topsheetand being absorbed by the absorbent core. The first topsheet can berendered hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactant. Suitable methodsfor treating the topsheet with a surfactant include spraying thetopsheet material with the surfactant and immersing the material intothe surfactant. A more detailed discussion of such a treatment andhydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,344 and U.S. Pat. No.4,988,345.

The topsheet is preferably pliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating tothe wearer's skin. Further, the topsheet is liquid pervious, permittingliquids (e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces) to readily penetratethrough its thickness. A suitable topsheet may be manufactured from awide range of materials such as woven and nonwoven materials (e.g., anonwoven web of fibers); polymeric materials such as apertured formedthermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and hydroformedthermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; reticulatedthermoplastic films; and thermoplastic scrims. Suitable woven andnonwoven materials can be comprised of natural fibers (e.g., wood orcotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such aspolyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene fibers) or from a combinationof natural and synthetic fibers. When the topsheet comprises a nonwovenweb, the web may be manufactured by a wide number of known techniques.For example, the web may be spunbonded, carded, wet-laid, melt-blown,hydroentangled, combinations of the above, or the like.

Additionally, articles according to the present invention may comprisetopsheets that are elasticized to provide storage compartments for bodyexudates, particularly bowel movements. Such topsheets and articlescontaining them are detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,191. Such anelasticized topsheet 600 is shown in FIG. 7 in an additional embodimentof the present invention.

Backsheet

The backsheet is preferably impervious to low surface tension fluids(e.g., menses, urine, and/or runny feces). As used herein, “low surfacetension fluids” refers to fluids having a surface tension of less thanabout 72 dynes/cm, preferably less than about 60 dynes/cm, and even morepreferably less than about 55 dynes/cm, and most preferably from about25 to about 55 dynes/cm. The backsheet is preferably manufactured from athin plastic film, although other flexible liquid impervious materialsmay also be used. As used herein, the term “flexible” refers tomaterials which are compliant and that readily conform to the generalshape and contours of the human body. The backsheet prevents theexudates absorbed and contained in the absorbent core from wettingarticles which contact the absorbent article such as bedsheets, pants,pajamas and undergarments. The backsheet may thus comprise a woven ornonwoven material, polymeric films such as thermoplastic films ofpolyethylene or polypropylene, or composite materials such as afilm-coated nonwoven material. A suitable backsheet is a polyethylenefilm having a thickness of from about 0.012 mm (0.5 mils) to about 0.051mm (2.0 mils). Exemplary polyethylene films are manufactured by ClopayCorporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, under the designation P18-1401 and byTredegar Film Products of Terre Haute, Ind., under the designationXP-39385. The backsheet is preferably embossed and/or matte finished andprovides a more clothlike-appearance. Further, the backsheet may permitvapors to escape from the absorbent core (i.e., the backsheet isbreathable) while still preventing exudates from passing through thebacksheet. The size of the backsheet is dictated by the size of theabsorbent core and the exact absorbent article design selected.

The backsheet and the first topsheet are positioned adjacent the garmentsurface and the body surface, respectively, of the absorbent core. Theabsorbent core is preferably joined with the topsheet, the backsheet, orboth in any manner as is known by attachment means (not shown in FIG. 1)such as those well known in the art. However, embodiments of the presentinvention are envisioned wherein portions of the entire absorbent coreare unattached to one or both of the topsheet and the backsheet.

For example, the backsheet and/or the first topsheet may be secured tothe absorbent core or to each other by a uniform continuous layer ofadhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an array of separate lines,spirals, or spots of adhesive. Adhesives which have been found to besatisfactory are manufactured by Bostik-Findley of Milwaukee, Wis. underthe designation HL-24012031. The attachment means will preferablycomprise an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive as isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986, issued to Minetola, et al. Anexemplary attachment means of an open pattern network of filamentscomprises several lines of adhesive filaments swirled into a spiralpattern such as illustrated by the apparatus and method shown in U.S.Pat. No. 3,911,173 issued to Sprague, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,996issued to Zwieker, et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,666 issued toWerenicz. Alternatively, the attachment means may comprise heat bonds,pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds, or any othersuitable attachment means or combinations of these attachment means asare known in the art.

Additional Components

In a preferred embodiment, the diaper 50 further comprises at least afirst cuff 550 for providing improved containment of liquids and otherbody exudates; an elastic waist feature 560 that provides improved fitand containment; and a fastening system 570 which forms a side closurewhich maintains the first waist region 56 and the second waist region 58in an overlapping configuration such that lateral tensions aremaintained around the circumference of the diaper to maintain the diaperon the wearer. The diaper 50 may also comprise elasticized side panels(not shown) in the waist regions 56 and 58 to provide an elasticallyextensible feature that provides a more comfortable and contouring fitand more effective application of the diaper 50.

The elasticized leg cuffs 550 can be constructed in a number ofdifferent configurations, including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,860,003, 4,636,207, 4,695,278, 4,704,115, 4,795,454, 4,900,317,4,909,803 (Reissued as U.S. RE34920), 5,085,654, 5,492,751, 6,476,288and SIR H1630.

For example, diaper 50 may include one or more first cuffs 550 whichprovide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates. Firstcuffs 550 may also be referred to as outer leg cuff, leg bands, sideflaps, leg cuffs or elastic cuffs. U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 describes adisposable diaper which provides a contractible leg opening having aside flap and one or more elastic members to provide an elasticized legcuff.

Additionally, diaper 50 may include one or more second cuffs 511 whichalso provide improved containment of liquids and other body exudates.Second cuffs 511 may also be referred to as barrier leg cuffs, inner legcuffs or “stand-up” elasticized flaps. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,808,178 and4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. on Feb. 28, 1989 and Mar. 20, 1990,respectively, describe disposable diapers having “stand-up” elasticizedflaps that improve the containment of the leg regions.

First cuff 550 and second cuff 511 may both be provided by way of a dualcuff, as exampled in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,278 and 4,795,454 issued toLawson on Sep. 22, 1987 and to Dragoo on Jan. 3, 1989, respectively.

Additional cuffs 512 may be provided in an article of the presentinvention as detailed in US Statutory Invention Registration H1630,which published Jan. 7, 1997.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective diagram of a diaper according to the presentinvention which includes at least one or more first and second cuffswherein at least one of the cuffs has been coated with the hydrophobicsurface coating.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the diaper shown in FIG. 2. Incertain embodiments, the second cuff may not be necessary due to the useof the hydrophobic coating on the first cuff.

The elasticized waist feature preferably comprises an elasticizedwaistband (not shown) that may be constructed in a number of differentconfigurations including those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,595,5,026,364, and 5,151,092. This waistband or belt of the diaper orabsorbent article may include a cutout of some sort that allows forundisturbed placement of an infant's navel, which tends to be sensitivefor a time after birth. Preferably, this cutout is in the shape of asemicircle but may be in any geometric shape that allows for acomfortable fit of the infant's navel.

The elasticized side panels may be constructed in a number ofconfigurations. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panelspositioned in the ears (or ear flaps) of the diaper are disclosed inU.S. Pat. Nos. 4,857,067, 4,381,781, 4,938,753, and 5,151,092.

Exemplary fastening systems 570 are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,846,815, 4,894,060, 4,946,527, 3,848,594, 4,662,875, and 5,151,092.

Hydrophobic Surface Coating

The disposable absorbent articles of the present invention additionallycomprise a hydrophobic surface coating that is disposed on at least onesurface of one or more of the various components of the articleincluding, but not limited to, a core cover, a diaper outer cover, anear, a wing, belt, a backsheet, a first cuff, a second cuff, and evencombinations thereof. This hydrophobic surface coating comprises one ormore silicone polymers and is also substantially free of aminosilicones.

Suitable silicone polymers are selected from the group consisting ofsilicone MQ resins, polydimethysiloxanes, crosslinked silicones,silicone liquid elastomers, and combinations thereof. Typically, themolecular weight of such silicone polymers should be at least about 4000M_(W), preferably at least about 10,000 M_(W), more preferably at leastabout 15,000 M_(W), even more preferably at least about 20,000 M_(W),and most preferably at least about 25,000 M_(W). Preferredpolydimethylsiloxanes are selected from the group consisting ofvinyl-terminated polydimethsiloxanes, methyl hydrogen dimethylsiloxanes,hydroxyl-terminated polydimethysiloxanes, organo-modifiedpolydimethylsiloxanes, and combinations thereof.

Alternatively, fluorinated polymers may also be used. Suitablefluorinated polymers are selected from the group consisting of telomersand polymers containing tetrafluoroethylene and/or perfluorinated alkylchains. For instance, fluorinated surfactants, which are commerciallyavailable from Dupont under the tradename Zonyl®, are suitable for useherein. In particular, Zonyl® 321, 329, 8740, 9027, and 9360 are wellsuited for use in the present invention. Additionally, other Zonyl®materials include fluroadditives like micro-powders may be usefulherein. These include, but are not limited to Zonyl® MF1100, MP1200,MP1400, MP1500J, MP1600N, TE-3667N (which is a water dispersion).

Without being limited by theory, Applicants have found that thesehydrophobic surface coatings, when applied to various absorbent articlecomponents, tend to envelope or at least partially coat one or morefibrous structures of the component in such a way that a cohesive,uniform film-like network is formed around the fibrous structures, andpartially fills the pore network of the fibrous structures. Thisfilm-like network serves to increase the barrier properties of thecomponent, particularly when exposed to low surface energy fluids. Thefilm-like network is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6. In FIG. 4, anuncoated 15 gsm fibrous meltblown nonwoven is depicted. In FIG. 5, thenonwoven of FIG. 4 has been treated with a hydrophobic surface coatingknown as PSA950, which is commercially available from GE Silicones.PSA950 is a pressure sensitive adhesive which is a phenyl siloxane insolvent. Here, the film-like network has formed between the fibrousstructures of the nonwoven. Likewise, in FIG. 6, the uncoated meltblownnonwoven of FIG. 4 is coated with a hydrophobic surface coating known asC2-0563 fabric water repellant, which is commercially available from DowCorning. Again, it is clear that a film-like network is formed betweenthe fibers and in the pores of the nonwoven, thereby improving itsbarrier properties.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the coating may beinherently elastomeric. Accordingly, when deposited onto one or moresurfaces of an absorbent article component, the hydrophobic surfacecoating may additionally provide an elastic character to the articlecomponent when stretched.

Additionally, although it is envisioned that the present invention isprimarily directed to absorbent personal care articles, it is easilyforeseeable that the hydrophobic surface coatings disclosed herein mayalso be disposed onto substrates utilized for other purposes. Forinstance, treated substrates could be utilized in the manufacture ofvarious surgical or medical materials (e.g., gowns, drapes, shoe covers,and caps), wipes (e.g., for car cleaning, lens cleaning, packaging, wetcleaning, and dust), consumer clothing, etc.

Moreover, it is important to note that when the coating is depositedonto the article component, it is preferred that the component issubstantially free of polymers containing melt additives selected fromthe group consisting of polydimethylsiloxanes, guerbet esters, andcombinations thereof.

Test Methods Liquid Strike Through

The barrier performance of the coated substrates is determined bymeasuring the time in which a liquid added to the surface of thesubstrate penetrates the surface of the substrate. The test methodconforms to the Edana method 150.4-99 using a Lister SN L5725 Model 1998with the following changes:

-   -   1. Reference absorbent pad consists of 10 layers of filter paper        (100 mm×100 mm Ahlstrom Grade 989) supplied by Empirical Mfg.        Co., Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio 513-948-1616).    -   2. Simulated runny BM/urine fluid mixture consisting of 0.04%        (w/v) tRiton-X-100 (CAS #9002-93-1) aqueous solution with a        surface tension of approximately 32±mN/m.    -   3. Prior to the start of each test, and in between each        replicate, the Lister electrodes are rinsed with a 0.9% NaCl        aqueous solution.        An average liquid strike through is determined by dividing the        sum of times by the number of component samples that are tested.        Typically, the number of samples will be about 30, i.e., n=30.

In order to determine the increase of liquid strike through time thatresults, a comparison is done of average liquid strike through time ofcoated samples versus uncoated (or untreated) samples.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A hydrophobic surface coating of the present invention is prepared byspraying, dipping, or employing a kiss-roll process of an aqueousmixture of vinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane and methylhydrogenpolydimethylsiloxane in a 30:1 ratio in order that the coating isdeposited on the substrate. Substrate nonwovens used in this examplewere 13 gsm, 15 gsm, 17 gsm, 20 gsm, 30 gsm, and 34 gsm spun/melt/spunpolypropylene nonwovens, and 15 gsm and 20 gsm melt polypropylenenonwovens, which are commercially available from various suppliers. Theaqueous mixture also contains a transition metal catalyst to facilitatethe self-crosslinking of the PDMS polymers. The wet coated substrate isdried at 90° C.-120° C. for 0.1-1.0 minutes depending if the sample iscoated via a commercial or laboratory coating process and is then storedin a suitable container for later use.

Example 2

A nonwoven diaper cuff component treated with a hydrophobic surfacecoating is prepared. A 10% solution of a vinyl terminated PDMS(commercially available from GE Silicones as SM3200) and a methylhydrogen PDMS (commercially available from GE Silicones as SM3010) isprepared and mixed for 30 minutes. A typical cuff component (spun-meltnonwoven, as detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,751, is dipped into thesolution and the excess liquid squeezed out via calendar roll and thecomponent dried in an air convection oven at a temperature of 90°C.-120° C. for a time no more than 45 seconds in order that the coatingis deposited on the substrate. The cuff material is incorporated into adiaper as detailed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,860,003, 4,636,207, 4,695,278,4,704,115, 4,795,454, 4,900,317, 4,909,803 (Reissued as U.S. RE34920),5,085,654, 5,492,751, 6,476,288 and SIR H1630.

Example 3

A nonwoven diaper cuff and/or backsheet component treated with ahydrophobic surface coating is prepared. A 10% solution of a hydroxylterminated PDMS (commercially available from GE Silicones as SM2245) anda methyl hydrogen PDMS (commercially available from GE Silicones asSM2014c) is prepared and mixed for 30 minutes. The cuff and/or backsheetcomponent, comprised of spun-melt nonwoven as detailed in U.S. Pat. No.5,492,751, is dipped into the solution and the excess liquid squeezedout via calendar roll and the component dried in an air convection ovenat a temperature of 90° C.-120° C. for a time no more than 45 seconds inorder that the coating is deposited on the substrate and incorporatedinto a diaper as detailed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,860,003, 4,636,207,4,695,278, 4,704,115, 4,795,454, 4,900,317, 4,909,803 (Reissued as U.S.RE34920), 5,085,654, 5,492,751, 6,476,288 and SIR H1630.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. An absorbent article comprising: a. a liquid pervious first topsheethaving an interior surface and an exterior surface; b. a backsheethaving an interior surface and an exterior surface wherein the backsheetis attached to the topsheet along a periphery; c. anacquisition/distribution component and an absorbent core, wherein theacquisition/distribution component is disposed between the topsheet andthe absorbent core and the absorbent core is disposed between theacquisition/distribution component and the backsheet; and d. ahydrophobic surface coating disposed on at least one surface of thetopsheet or the acquisition/distribution component such that thehydrophobic surface coating forms a film on at least a portion of thecoated surface and increases the barrier properties of the surface;wherein the coating comprises a mixture of at least two siliconepolymers having a molecular weight of at least about 15,000 M_(W) andwherein the silicone polymers are polydimethylsiloxanes selected fromthe group consisting of vinyl-terminated polydimethsiloxanes, methylhydrogen dimethylsiloxanes, hydroxyl-terminated polydimethysiloxanes,and combinations thereof and wherein the coating is substantially freeof aminosilicones.
 2. The article of claim 1 wherein the coatingincreases the average liquid strikethrough time at least about 2 secondsover the average liquid strikethrough of an untreated topsheet oracquisition/distribution component.
 3. The article of claim 1 whereinthe acquisition/distribution component onto which the coating isdisposed is substantially free of polymers containing melt additivesselected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxanes, guerbetesters, and combinations thereof.
 4. The article of claim 1 wherein thetopsheet is apertured.
 5. A nonwoven material comprising: one or morefibrous structures; and a hydrophobic coating partially disposed on theone or more fibrous structures such that the hydrophobic surface coatingforms a film-like network around the one or more fibrous structures andincreases the barrier properties of the material; wherein the coatingcomprises a mixture of at least two silicone polymers having a molecularweight of at least about 15,000 M_(W) and wherein the silicone polymersare polydimethylsiloxanes selected from the group consisting ofvinyl-terminated polydimethsiloxanes, methyl hydrogen dimethylsiloxanes,hydroxyl-terminated polydimethysiloxanes, and combinations thereof andwherein the coating is substantially free of aminosilicones.
 6. Thematerial of claim 1 wherein the one or more fibrous structures ontowhich the coating is disposed is substantially free of polymerscontaining melt additives selected from the group consisting ofpolydimethylsiloxanes, guerbet esters, and combinations thereof.
 7. Amethod of increasing the hydrophobicity of a nonwoven material includingone or more fibrous structures, the method comprising the step ofdepositing on the one or more fibrous structures a hydrophobic coatingsuch that the hydrophobic coating forms a film-like network around theone or more fibrous structures and increases the barrier properties ofthe material; wherein the coating comprises a mixture of at least twosilicone polymers having a molecular weight of at least about 15,000M_(W) and wherein the silicone polymers are polydimethylsiloxanesselected from the group consisting of vinyl-terminatedpolydimethsiloxanes, methyl hydrogen dimethylsiloxanes,hydroxyl-terminated polydimethysiloxanes, and combinations thereof andwherein the coating is substantially free of aminosilicones.